Decoying apparatus for attracting game birds



April 1969 R. D. MILLER 3,436,856

DECOYING APPARATUS FOR ATTRACTING GAME BIRDS Filed Oct. 10, 1967 Sheetof 2 INVENTOR ROBERT D. MILLER ATTORNEY A ril 8, 1969 R. D. MILLERDECOYING APPARATUS FOR ATTRACTING GAME BIRDS Filed Oct. 10. 1967 Sheet RE L H M R .mD mm E m8 0 R BY M ATTORNEY 3,436,856 DECOYING APPARATUS FORA'ITRACTING GAME BIRDS Robert D. Miller, 645 N. Pierce St., Fremont,Nebr. 68025 Filed Oct. 10, 1967, Ser. No. 674,250 Int. Cl. AOlm 31/06US. Cl. 43-3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A decoying apparatus thatsimulates the appearance of a landing squadron of game birds. Inparticular the decoying apparatus comprises a plurality ofinterconnected, consecutive, tethered-decoys, each tethered-decoy beinginflatable with a lighter-than-air gas.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide a decoyingapparatus for attracting game birds.

It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a decoyingapparatus that simulates the appearance of a landing squadron of gamebirds inasmuch as game birds are inherently attracted by squadrons ofother game birds that are in the process of alighting upon the earth.

It is another object to provide an airborne decoying apparatus thatmight be stably employed in conjunction with a pond or other body ofwater.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an airbornedecoying apparatus that is reasonably stable even within relativelyturbulent atmospheres.

It is yet another object to provide an airborne decoying apparatus thatis easy to assemble, control, use, and disassemble, and that might bestored in very compact deflated form between periods of use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a decoyingapparatus that may be discretely manipulated by the huntsman to attract,rather than to frighten, game birds.

It is another object to provide a well camouflaged decoying apparatusthat is lifelike and which presents a minimal synthetic appearance tothe game birds to be lured.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, which willbecome more apparent as the description proceeds, this inventioncomprises the novel construction, combination, and arrangement ofelements hereinafter set forth, and particularly pointed out in theappended claims, and exemplified in the accompanying drawing whereinlike numbers refer to like parts in the several views and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective elevational view of a representative form ofthe decoying apparatus of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional elevational view of one typical tethered-decoysegment of the decoying apparatus of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevational View of an alternate typetethered-decoy segment of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a detail view, partly in section, of the spacer-linecomponent of the tethered-decoy of FIG- URE 3.

As can be seen in FIGURE 1, the decoying apparatus A of the presentinvention comprises a plurality of tethered-decoy segments (20, 30, 40,and 50) arranged consecutively in a series having a forward end 10F anda rearward end 10R; an anchoring means e.g. E and G, attached to saidseries 10 forwardly of a first decoy D; preferably at least onelaterally-extending tow-line States Patent 0 K attached to the anchoringmeans forwardly of said first decoy 20D to permit lateral movement ofsaid series 10 with respect to the earth; at least one, and preferablythree, flexible mooring-line e.g. 81-83, attached to said series 10rearwardly of the said first decoy 20D to provide stabilization andcontrol for said series 10; and

and 30D about the axis of intervening spacer-line S.

The series 10 comprises a plurality of substantially identicaltethered-decoy segments (20, 30, 40 and 50) disposed in consecutiverelationship. Each tethered-decoy segment comprises a gas-inflatabledecoy portion D that simulates the visual appearance of a game bird ingas-inflatable decoy D, the annuli might alternatively comprise metallicrings integrally attached to the decoy as are annuli 96 and 97 of FIGURE3. axis H connects the nose and tail ends of the perpendicular to eachother as in FIGURE ably, said axis might intersect at an acuate angle asin FIGURE 3. Of course, each gas-inflatable decoy D has a valve means Zappropriate to introduction and removal of a suitable gas.

A flexible spacer-line S is an exceedingly important component of thevarious tethered-decoy segments. Spacer line component S is attached toa first side of said gasinflatable decoy D, herein to underside Uthrough integral annulus 36. For example, as shown in FIGURE 2, therearward portion 31 of spacer-line S, immediately adjacent to decoy 30D,integrally includes a hook means to provide convenient removableengagement between 36. The forward includes a hook engagement withtethered-decoy segment 20 via the backside annulus 37 of 20sgas-inflatable decoy portion 20D. The spacer-line component S includesswivel means e.g. 33, along the length thereof to permit relativerotation between adjacent decoy components D about the lengthwise axisof spacer-line S to prevent kinking of the various interveningspacer-lines S within series 10.

Thus, as has been explained in the preceding two para: graphs, theseries 10 comprises a number of gas-inflatable decoy portions D (hereinas four decoy portions 20D, 30D, 40D, and 50D), each simulating thevisual appearance of a game bird in flight, together with an equalnumber of intervening spacer-lines S. While a series of fourtethered-decoys (20, 30, 40, and 50) comprising in all fourgas-inflatable decoys D and four intervening spacerlines S having beenshown in FIGURE 1, it is obvious that a greater or lesser number of saidtethered-decoys might be employed in view of the removable connectionsbetween the tethered-decoy segments. In order that the decoyingapparatus A might closely simulate the visual appearance of a landingsquadron of genetically related game birds, it is important that eachgas-inflatable decoy D be of similar size and visual appearanceincluding the outstretched wings W. In this same vane, the distancebetween the airborne decoys D should be of a constant value which shouldexceed about twice the length of axis H; accordingly, the length of theseveral spacer-lines S should be substantially equal and exceed abouttwice the overall length of each airborne decoy D, e.g. the axis Hbetween nose N and tail T.

The tethered-decoy segment 90 shown in FIGURE 3 is generally similar tosegment 20 previously alluded to in connection with FIGURE 2.Tethered-decoy segment 90 comprises the gas-inflatable decoy portion D,specifically denominated as 90D, which is in nearly all essentialrespects identical to the decoy portions 20D, 39D, 40D, and 50Dpreviously described. Spacer-line component S of tethered-decoy 90 isshown in greater detail in FIGURE 4 and integrally includes at therearward and forward portions thereof a pair of hooks 91, each hookbeing adapted to removably encircle and thus engage an annulus, e.g. 96,97, of the gas-inflatable decoy portion D. As clearly indicated inFIGURE 3, the length of flexible spacer-line S between hooks 91 exceedsat least twice the nose-to-tail length of decoy portion 90D. Themanually flexible line portion 99 of spacer-line S is connected to therespective hooks 91 by means of swivel 93 whereby said flexible line 99is permitted to rotate about its lengthwise axis with respect to theremovably attached decoy portion 90D. As seen in FIGURE 4, hook 91 is ofthe well known type comprising a generally C-shaped body, aspring-loaded closure-bar 92 spanning the opening of the C-shaped bodywhereby said hook 91 might removably encircle and engage an annulus,e.g. 36, of the decoy portion 90D. The average weight of the variouscomponents of the gas-inflatable decoy component 90D together with theremovably attached spacer-line S are sufliciently light in weightwhereby the tethered-decoy 9b is buoyant within the atmosphere when thedecoy is inflated with a gas having an average molecular weight lessthan 14. Of course, very low molecular weight gases, such as heliumhaving a molecular weight of about 4, are most elficient and areaccordingly preferred.

Having now described the tethered-decoy segments of the presentinvention and their arrangement into a consecutive series It theremaining components of the decoying apparatus A will now be described,reference being made particularly to FIGURE 1. As previously alluded to,there must be some type of anchor means to anchor the forward end 10F ofseries Ill adjacent to the earth in order to keep the air-buoyant seriesfrom ascending indefinitely into the atmosphere. In the event that thedecoying apparatus is to be employed on dry land, a spacer-line Sforwardly of the first (forward) decoy, e.g. D, might be tied to aconventional ground stake, e.g. Y.

However, a more eflective lure results when the decoying apparatus A isemployed in conjunction with a body of water, e.g. pond P, thussimulating a squadron of game birds landing upon a body of water.Accordingly, it has been found very effective to employ as the anchormeans a floating-decoy E that simulates the visual appearance of a gamebird at rest upon a body of water. The overall shape and coloring of thefloating-decoy B should be similar to that of gas-inflatable airbornedecoys D in order that series 10 together with the floating-decoyanchoring means E in order that there is presented to game birds in thevicinity the visual impression of a landing squadron of uni-species gamebirds. The floatingdecoy anchoring means E is heavier-than-air and has aspecific gravity less than 1.0 whereby said floating decoy will floatupon a body of water, e.g. pond P. Moreover,

in order to provide a reasonably stable or physically secure anchormeans, well set into the water but extending above the surface thereof,the specific gravity of floatingdecoy E must exceed about 0.7 and in noevent greater than about 0.9. For floating-decoys having a specificgravity less than 0.7, the specific gravity can be readily increased tothe desirable 0.7 to 0.9 range by the simple expedient of tying aheavier-than-water weight G to the underside of floating-decoy E. Theforward end 10F of series 10 is removably attached to an integralannulus on the backside of floating-decoy E, as per the method shown inFIGURE 2 for. removably connecting tethered decoy segment 30 to decoy20D.

In the event that a floating anchoring means is employed, at least onelaterally-extending tow-line K is attached to the anchoring-means (E andG) forwardly of first airborne decoy 20D whereby a huntsman mightmaintain a degree of control of the location of the anchoring means andthe series 10 attached thereto. Preferably, the tow-line K is metallicor other structural material having a specific gravity greater than 1.0whereby the tow-line sinks below the body of water and is visuallyobscured from the game birds to be lured. Alternatively, transparentresinous materials having a specific gravity less than 1.0 might beemployed for tow-line K, the transparency thereof making the tow-line Khardly visible to approaching game birds.

In order to maintain the series 10 of airborne tethereddecoys from beingwhipped around by a turbulent atmosphere, at least one mooring-line,e.g. 81, 82, 83, is attached to said series It) rearwardly of the firstairborne decoy, e.g. 20D. For example, three such flexible mooring-lines81-83 are attached to annulus 37 of second airborne decoy 30D, theremote end of each mooring-line being attached to a stake Y driven intothe earth adjacent to the body of water P. The said at least onemooring-line can be tugged or jerked upon by a camouflaged huntsmanwhereby suitable realistic motion might be imparted to the variousairborne decoys D. Transparent resinous structural materials arepreferred for the various mooringlines and spacer-lines S whereby saidlines are barely, if at all, discernible to approaching game birds.

If the respective gas-inflated decoys D are to be maintained parallel tothe earth, the intersection of axes H and V be substantiallyperpendicular as shown in FIG- URE 2. However, in the event that thetail portion T of each inflated decoy D is to be located nearer to theearth than is decoy nose N, as would simulate the appearance of a gamebird in the process of landing, then as is shown in FIGURE 3, thebackside attachment annulus, e.g. 97, must be located nearer to nose Nthan is the underside annulus, e.g. 96.

The average aggregate weight of the solid (nongaseous) gas-inflatabledecoys D, the spacer-lines S, and the at least one mooring-line, must besufficiently light whereby the rearward end 10R (e.g. decoy 50D) ofseries 10 will rise with respect to the earth at series forward end 10Fwhen the several decoys D are inflated with a gas having an averagemolecular weight less than 14. Of course, very low molecular weightgases, such as helium with a molecular weight of about 4, are mostefficient and are accordingly preferred.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the decoyingapparatus will be readily understood and further explanation is believedto be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changeswill readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired tolimit the invention to the exact construction shown and described.

I claim:

1. A decoying apparatus for attracting game birds, said decoyingapparatus comprising a plurality of tethereddecoy segments removablyattached together in series, each of said tethered-decoys comprising agas-inflatable decoy that simulates the visual appearance of an airborneg-ame bird, said gas-inflatable decoy portion having a head end, a tailend, and two vertically-aligned opposed sides including the decoyunderside and the decoy backside, and a flexible spacer-line the inwardend of which is attached to a first of said decoy opposed sides, theoutward end of the flexible spacer-line being removably at tached to thesecond side of the gas-inflatable decoy portion of the neighboringtethered-decoy segment, swivel means to permit relative rotation betweenadjacent decoys about the longitudinal axis of the intervening flexiblespacer-line, anchoring means attached to said series of tethered-decoysforwardly of the first decoy, at least one laterally-extending tow-lineattached to the anchoring means forwardly of the first decoy to permitlateral movement of the said series of tethered-decoys, and at least oneflexible mooring-line attached to the said tethered-decoys seriesrearwardly of the first decoy member whereby intermittent tension alongsaid flexible mooringline will agitate the gas-inflated decoys, theaverage weight of the solid components of said several tethered-decoysand the at least one mooring line being sufliciently light whereby therearward end of the respective tethereddecoys will rise with respect tothe anchored forward end of the series when the several decoy membersare inflated with a gas having an average molecular weight less than 14.

2. The tethered-decoy segment of a decoying apparatus comprising aseries of said tethered-decoy segments removably attached together, saidtethered-decoy segment comprising a gas-inflatable decoy that simulatesthe visual appearance of a game bird in flight, said gas-inflatabledecoy having a head end, a tail end, and two verticallyaligned opposedsides including the decoy underside and the decoy backside, said decoyincluding a pair of annuli integrally attached to the underside and tothe backside thereof; a flexible spacer-line including a pair of hookmeans spaced along said spacer-line whereby each of said hook means isadapted to removably encircle and engage a said integral annulus of thegas-inflatable decoy, one of said spacer-line hook means removablyencircling and engaging an integral annulus of said gas-inflatabledecoy, the said pair of book means being attached to the spacerline witha swivel connection to permit rotation of the spacer-line about itslongitudinal axis with respect to the removably attached decoy; thelength of the spacer-line bearing a ratio of at least 2 with respect tothe length of the gas-inflatable decoy from head end to tail end; andthe average weight of the solid components of the gas-inflatable decoyand the removably attached flexible spacer-line being sufficiently lightwhereby the tethereddecoy segment will rise with respect to the earthwhen the decoy is inflated with a ular weight less than 14.

3. The decoying apparatus of claim 1 wherein the anchoring meanscomprises a heavier-than-air decoy having the visual appearance of agame bird at rest and having a specific gravity less than 1.0 wherebysaid heavier-thanair decoy is adapted to float upon the surface of abody of water; the attachment between the series of tethereddecoys andthe heavier-than-air anchor decoy comprising a flexible line connectedbetween said anchor-decoy and the first inflatable decoy, there beingswivel means to permit relative movement therebetween along thelongitudinal axis of said flexible line; and wherein the tow-line isattached to the anchor-decoy, said tow-line having a specific gravitygreater than 1.0 whereby the tow-line will sink below the body of waterwhereby said tow-line is not visible to game birds apt to be lured bysaid decoying apparatus.

4. The decoying apparatus of claim 3 wherein the said at least onemooring-line comprises a transparent resinous material whereby saidmooring-line is not easil visible to a game bird in flight; said decoysincluding a backside and an underside annulus for connection to the endsof said spacer-line, wherein the backside annulus for a gasinflatabledecoy is located nearer to the decoy nose end than is the undersideannulus whereby the inflated decoy components resemble a game bird inthe process of landing; wherein the effective specific of gravity forthe anchor-decoy is within the range of 0.7 to 0.9; and wherein thelength of each intervening spacer-line bears a ratio of at least 2 withrespect to the length of the gas-inflatable decoy from nose to tail.

5. The tethered decoy segment of claim 2 wherein the flexibleintervening spacer-line comprises a transparent resinous materialwhereby said spacer-line is not easily visible to a game bird in flight;and wherein the backside annulus of the gas inflatable decoy is locatednearer to the decoy nose end than is the underside annulus whereby theinflated decoy is adapted to resemble a game bird in the process oflanding.

gas having an average molec- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS261,910 8/1882 Cochel 43-3 810,690 1/1906 Weiss 46-87 1,836,504 12/1931Prince 43-3 2,252,795 8/1941 Weems et a1. 43-3 2,256,616 9/1941 Johnsonet al. 43-3 3,016,647 1/ 1962 Peterson et al 43-3 WARNER H. CAMP,Primary Examiner.

